Buying Love (Published Under UMPRINTABLES!)

Thirty Eight

"Anong gusto mo for dinner? Magluluto ako," ang wika ni Hana pagkapasok na pagkapasok nila ng condo unit. Galing silang school, sinundo niya ito.

This was the first time that he did this, actually --- ang ihatid ito kaninang umaga at ang sunduin ito ngayong gabi. Why is he doing this? Wala lang. He just felt like he needed to compensate her for what happened last night. After what happened, he was feeling like he owe her something. That he should act more husband-ly to her. He owe it to her.

Guilty? said a small voice from the back of his head. He dismissed it by convincing himself that he doesn't need to feel guilty about the whole thing. He had every right to consummate the marriage. Isa pa, 'di naman niya ito pinilit, 'di ba? Kagustuhan nila pareho ang nangyari. There's nothing to feel guilty about.

Parang natatawa nga siya sa sarili niya. He's no saint. He had sex with a lot of women since his teenage years. He never felt guilty about it. So why feel guilty now gayong mag-asawa naman sila ni Hana?

"Gusto mo ng adobo? Sinigang? Ano bang gusto mong iluto ko?" ani Hana habang papunta ito sa kuwarto nito. She looked happy and he would like to assume na dahil iyon sa nangyari kagabi. "O baka naman gusto mo ng --- Ram!" tumakbo itong palabas. "Nawawala ang mga gamit ko! Nalooban yata tayo!" Her eyes were widened with shock.

Natawa siya sa reaksiyon nito.

"Wag kang exage. Why would the robbers take your things? Why not the whole home entertainment system? Or that? Or that?" aniya habang itinuturo ang iba pang mamahaling appliances sa loob ng unit.

"Aba, "ma"!" Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Basta nawawala ang lahat ng gamit ko doon sa kwarto. As in walang natira. Wala. Nothing. Nada."

"That's because I transfered them to the other room," aniya.

"Other room? Sa kuwarto mo?" Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. Tila hindi ito makapaniwala sa narinig.

"May iba pa bang kuwarto dito sa bahay?"

"Pero bakit? Bakit mo ililipat ang mga gamit ko doon sa kuwarto mo?"

"Because you're moving in with me, silly."

"Ha? Ako? Lilipat doon sa kuwarto mo? Bakit?"

"Because married people are supposed to share the same room. Bakit ba ang dami mong tanong?"

A smile slowly formed on her face. Her eyes were twinkling. He fought the urge to smile with her.

"Magluto ka na nga, nagugutom na ako. Sinigang will do. May hipon ba tayo?"

"Oo! Meron! Meron tayong hipon!" she excitedly exclaimed. "Sige! Wait lang, ha? Magbibihis lang ako!" she said as she hurried to his room. Their room, he corrected himself.

"Good." He smiled as he watched her disappear behind the door.

Wala pang limang minuto ay nakapagbihis na ito. Short checkered shorts at sleveless top ang suot nito. It was simple yet she looked sexy on it. Kahit naman yata anong isuot nito, sexy itong tingnan. She was truly gifted.

He picked up the remote control and scanned through the channels. Ngunit kahit anong lipat niya ng channels tila wala siyang nagugustuhan sa mga ito. Papano, na kay Hana ang atensiyon niya. Against his will, he kept checking on her. Hindi niya mapigilan ang sariling tapunan ito ng panakaw na tingin. She looked hot from behind. Damn. 

Nag-beep ang kanyang cellphone. He checked on it. It's Maryo. He's asking him to come to the bar, nandoon daw kasi ang buong barkada. Birthday ni Jeoff. He looked at Hana one more time before he typed on his cellphone.

Sori, dude. I'm bz ryt now. I've got sumthing so important to do. He sent the message and put aside his phone. Tumayo siya at saka naglakad papuntang kitchen. Dinner can wait.